Science Canada: 06/10/09

‘Large swaths of land that people live on and rely on for their livelihoods are going to become partially or entirely uninhabitable'
Jun 10, 2009
Martin Mittelstaedt
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/world-faces-daunting-refugee-crisis-because-of-climate-change/article1175616/

Reefs collapse across Caribbean, study says

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:14 PM

Researchers cite climate change in rapid and devastating decline
Jun 10, 2009
Mark Hume
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/reefs-collapse-across-caribbean-study-says/article1175531/

U.S. Army's war on trees has environmentalist worried

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:14 PM

Fearful of roots undermining flood barriers, engineering corps launches nationwide effort to clear away trees; critics say the roots are stabilizing levees, not weakening them
Jun 9, 2009
Cain Burdeau
The Associated Press
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/us-armys-war-on-trees-has-environmentalist-worried/article1175552/

Japan emissions targets fail to impress

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:13 PM

Prime Minister, with an election due within months, had to balance fighting climate change with the needs of industry and voters amid the nation's worst recession since World War II
Jun 10, 2009
Risa Maeda and Chisa Fujioka
Reuters
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/japan-emissions-targets-fail-to-impress/article1176128/

Brace yourselves for apocalypse now

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:13 PM

Whether it's something in the air (such as greenhouse gases) or something in the economy (such as oil and food prices), the only field where there currently seems to be a boom is in gloom. But it's not just ranters wearing bathrobes on street corners: Some of the most respected thinkers about science and society are issuing alarming prognostications about humanity coming to an end, with a bang or with a whimper.
Jun 9, 2009
Martin Mittelstaedt
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/brace-yourselves-for-apocalypse-now/article1172056/

Canada in the driver's seat

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:12 PM

June 10, 2009
The Ottawa Citizen
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/fp/Canada+driver+seat/1679833/story.html

Gerry Ritz happy to support Canada's agriculture sector

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:11 PM

June 8, 2009
BRUCE JOHNSTONE
Leader-Post
http://www.leaderpost.com/Business/Gerry+Ritz+happy+support+Canada+agriculture+sector/1673055/story.html

Lack of infectious disease specialist poses patient crisis: advocates

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:11 PM

June 10, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/06/10/infectious-diseases-shortage-610.html

'Hybrid' skills touted at digital forum

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:10 PM

June 10, 2009
Chuck Howitt
WATERLOO RECORD
http://news.therecord.com/Business/article/550956

WELCOME TO SCIENCE CANADA

The goal of the Science Canada website is to highlight science policy issues in Canada's political arena and media.

Science policy is the discipline that lies at the interface of the scientific enterprise and public administration. It encompasses two related and complementary spheres: (i) “policy for science” – strategies for managing and enhancing the conduct of scientific research; and (ii) “science for policy” – mechanisms by which scientific knowledge informs government decision-making. Science Canada aims to keep you up-to-date on recent developments on both fronts.

PS - In the interests of promoting healthy debate and reflecting the full marketplace of ideas, links to many types of opinion pieces are posted here... including ones with which I may strongly disagree. (Don't interpret a link to an editorial as an endorsement of its point of view.)

Happy reading!

Jeff Sharom

Connect with Jeff Sharom on LinkedIn or Nature Network.

Why Science Canada?

Canadian scientific community suffers from lack of active engagement in decision making processes, dynamic network of science advocacy and lobbying. That is due to various factors but mainly lack of strong professional associations, and as result frail networks, and absence of science policy discourse in the mainstream of Canadian society. However the involvement of scientists at decision making levels differs in different provinces depending on the degree of cosy relationship and personal friendship between the scientists and policy makers rather than strong professional and systematic engagement.

In United States, there are numerous research centers, and many scientists that are being trained in science policy, numerous networks and organization which provide a strong base for science policy discourse and strong lobby for science in mainstream of the society. One of the latest examples of this effective science lobby in the United States is the efforts to hold a debate dedicated to science and technology between the candidates in 2008 presidential race. There has already been one public debate of scientific advisers of both democratic presidential candidates, and the efforts to convince the final two candidates to dedicate one debate to science and technology has been continued. Regardless of appropriateness of such debate, the fact that serious efforts are present and has taken momentum somehow that according to polls 85% of voters agree with having one debate on science issues , indicates that science policy discourse in the United States is in the mainstream of American society.

It is time for Canadian scientific community to start bringing science into mainstream of Canadian society and get engage in policy making processes. The necessity of dynamic scientific community being involved at policy making levels, in collaboration with social scientists, technology experts, engineers, government officials, policy makers and private sector, has not ever been more urgent. It is up to Canadian scientists to recognize the need and starts preparing essentials for this goal.

Mehrdad Hariri

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